ALASKA. 95 



strated that hardy early maturing varieties of barley, oats, winter 

 wheat, and winter rye may be grown in the interior valleys of the 

 Territory. Systematic work on cereal breeding is being carried on 

 at the Rampart station, and a number of new varieties of barley and 

 oats have been produced by cross-fertilization, some of which from 

 their limited growth appear veiy promising. This work will be con- 

 tinued to provide varieties of the more important cereals that are 

 especially adapted to local conditions. 



At the Fairbanks station G5 acres are under plow and 40 or 50 

 acres additional cleared for meadow. The principal line of work 

 during the past year was the growing of oats for forage and grain 

 to determine whether hay and grain can be profitably grown in the 

 interior of Alaska. An experiment on potato growing on a com- 

 mercial scale was undertaken, and after providing seed for future 

 planting a crop of over 300 bushels was secured. 



Tlie stock-breeding work on Kodiak Island has been continued, 

 with the success reported in previous years. The Galloway herd 

 has increased until there are now about 70 head of pure-bred stock 

 in addition to a number of grades. A flock of sheep was added to the 

 live stock of the station during the past year, and seem to be well 

 adapted to the conditions. 



The work at Sitka, which has consisted largely of horticultural 

 experiments, has been continued, and marked success has followed 

 the work on the hybridization of strawberries. The station now has 

 a considerable number of locally produced varieties which are 

 hybrids between a wild species and a cultivated sort, and some of 

 these varieties have proved hardy and prolific, with berries of good 

 size and quality. The station continues to test various fruits and 

 berries and is carrying on some work with ornamental plants. 



During the past season experiments were conducted at Sitka, 

 Rampart, and Fairbanks in which comparisons were made of the 

 effect of sprouting potatoes prior to planting them. In almost every 

 instance a larger yield of better matured tubers was obtained as a 

 result of a three weeks' exposure of the tubei-s to light before 

 planting. 



The Alaska stations have continued to carry on cooperative work 

 with farmers and gardeners throughout the Territory, and in this 

 way the adaptability of a number of varieties of field and garden 

 plants has been given wide test. 



The only publication of the station for 1910 was the annual report. 



The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as 

 follows : 



United States appropriation $28,000.00 



Sales and other funds 1, 802. 80 



Total 29, 802. 80 



